Advice to Abu Dharr – Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu

After delivering the Friday sermon this last week (1/6/2012) and the previous week (25/5/2012) in the discussion of the beautiful and lengthy hadeeth of Abi Dharr Al Ghifaari Radhiyallahu Anhu who was advised by the messenger – Sallallahu Alaihi wa salam after asking him numerous questions, some of my beloved brothers (May Allah reward them) requested that I send the hadeeth out for benefit.

As I mentioned in the sermon, some parts of the hadeeth are saheeh, some parts hasan and some Da’eef (weak). For benefit I will mention firstly the authentic (whether saheeh or hasan) parts of the hadeeth as one text so that the reader benefits from the flow of the text, then I will follow that up by mentioning which parts are Saheeh and hasan and I will also add the da’eef sections of the hadeeth (in red) as they occur in the original text, that the reader may be aquainted with it, quoting in that regard, the rulings of Shaikh Al Albaani upon it.

Thus here is the text of the Hadeeth and I ask Allah that he benefits my brothers and sisters with it.

Upon the authority of Abi Dharr – Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu – who said: “I entered the masjid (on an occassion) and found The Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi Was Salam sitting alone. He said (to me): “Oh Abaa Dharr! Indeed the masjid has a greeting and its greeting is to pray two rak’ah so stand and pray them.”

He (Abu Dharr) said: “So I stood and I performed them”

Then I returned and sat with him and said: “Oh Messenger of Allah!, Indeed you have commanded me with Salaah, so what is Salaah?

He said: “The best (act of worship) sent down! So perform much of it or little!(meaning the choice is yours but the more of its ‘legislated’ forms you perform the better)

He said (Abu Dharr): “I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Which action is best?

He said: “To have belief in Allah and to make Jihaad in his way”

He said: ” I said “Oh Messenger of Allah! Which of the believers is most complete in Faith?

He said: “The one that has the best character”

So I said: ” Which of the believers has the best Islam

he said:”The one who the people are safe from his tongue and his hand”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah which Salaah is best?

He said “The one that has the longest standing (I.e for recitation)

So I said Oh Messenger of Allah! Then which migration is best?

He said:”The one that migrates from evil deeds”

He said:” I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah then what is fasting?

He said: “A compulsory action that one is rewarded for, and with Allah the reward is many times multiplied”

He said: “I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Then which Jihad is best?

He said: “The one in which ones riding beast is injured and his (i.e. the warriors) blood is spilt”

He said: “I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Then which charity is best?

He said: “The (Charitable) effort of the one who has little, given secretly to the poor”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! then what is the greatest of that which Allah has sent down to you?

He said: “Aayatul Kursi”

I said: ” Oh Messenger of Allah! How many were the messengers?

He said: “Three hundred and thirteen, a large amount”

He said: I said: ” Oh Messenger of Allah! who was the first of them?

He said: ” Aadam – Alahis salaam”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! was he a prophet that was sent?

He said: “Yes! Allah created him with his hand, then blew his spirit into him, and spoke to him directly!

The intelligent person, as long as his mind has not been overcome (i.e. by mental illness) should have (a number of) periods. A period wherein he calls upon his lord, a period wherein he takes account of himself, a period wherein he reflects upon the creation of Allah and a period that he spends seeking his needs from food and drink.

Likewise the intelligent person should avoid travel except for three reasons, (to gain) provisions for the hereafter, seeking his livelihood or taking enjoyment in that which is not prohibited.

it is like wise upon the intelligent person to have insight into his era, to proceed towards his affair (i.e. to head diligently towards the affairs that benefit him) and to guard his tongue. And whosoever evaluates his speech in comparison to his actions, will speak little except in that which concerns him.

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! What were the scrolls of Musaa?

He said: “They were all lessons (and admonitions).

I am amazed at the one who is certain of death then he is happy. And I am amazed at the who is certain of the (presence) of the fire then he laughs, and I am amazed at the one who is certain of pre-decree (concerning that which has been allotted to him) then he wears himself out. And I am amazed at the one who sees this world, and how affairs change for its people then he is tranquil within it. And I am amazed at the one who has certainty that the reckoning is tomorrow yet he doesnt act”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! advise me!

He said: “Iadvise you with the fear of Allah, for indeed it is the pinnacle of all affairs.

I said: “Oh messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Cling to reciting the Qur’aan and the remembrance of Allah, for indeed it is light for you in the life of this world and it is preserved for you in the heavens”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Be aware of laughing excessively, for indeed it kills the heart and removes light from the face”

I said: “Oh messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Make jihad, since it is the monasticism of my Ummah” (meaning that when monasticism revolves around abstention from the world and selflessness there is no greater form of this than that a person participates in battle)

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase Me!

He said: “Love the poor and sit with them”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Look to those who are lesser than you (i.e. are less well to do) and dont look to those who are above you (i.e. have more than you) as it is better in preventing one from looking down with disdain at Allahs blessings upon you”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Speak the truth even if it is bitter!”

This then is the end of that which is authentic from the hadeeth.

Truly as Imaam Manaawi mentions concerning the hadeeth:

“What an amazing bequest! How beneficial, comprehensive and wonderful! Glad tidings to the one who is granted success in accepting it and acting upon it!”

(At Tayseer 1/786)

That which follows is some detail from ‘Dha’eef mawaarid Adham’aan’ – (p11-17) of Shaikh Al Albaani concerning which parts of the hadeeth are Saheeh, Hasan and Dha’eef and I have highlighted the weak portions in red

Upon the authority of Abi Dharr – Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu – who said: “I entered the masjid (on an occassion) and found The Messenger of Allah – Sallallahu Alaihi Was Salam sitting alone. He said (to me): “Oh Abaa Dharr! Indeed the masjid has a greeting and its greeting is to pray two rak’ah so stand and pray them.”

(Hasan Li Ghairihi except the command (ie to stand and pray) for it is saheeh)

He (Abu Dharr) said: “So I stood and I performed them”

(Hasan Li Ghairihi)

Then I returned and sat with him and said: “Oh Messenger of Allah!, Indeed you have commanded me with Salaah, so what is Salaah?

He said: “The best (act of worship) sent down! So perform much of it or little! (meaning the choice is yours but the more of its ‘legislated’ forms you perform the better)

(Hasanun Li Ghairihi – At Ta’leeq ur Ragheeb 1/145)

He said (Abu Dharr): “I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Which action is best?

He said: “To have belief in Allah and to make Jihaad in his way”

(Saheeh Li Ghairihi – As Saheehah (1390))

He said: ” I said “Oh Messenger of Allah! Which of the believers is most complete in Faith?

He said: “The one that has the best character”

(Saheeh Li Ghairihi – As Saheehah (284))

So I said: ” Which of the believers has the best Islam

He said:”The one who the people are safe from his tongue and his hand”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah which Salaah is best?

He said “The one that has the longest standing (I.e for recitation)”

(Saheeh Li Ghairihi – Al Irwaa (458))

So I said Oh Messenger of Allah! Then which migration is best?

He said:”The one that migrates from evil deeds”

(Saheeh Li ghairihi – As Saheehah (549 and 553))

He said:” I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah then what is fasting?

He said: “A compulsory action that one is rewarded for, and with Allah the reward is many times multiplied”

He said: “I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Then which Jihad is best?

He said: “The one in which ones riding beast is injured and his (the warriors) blood is spilt”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! then what is the greatest of that which Allah has sent down to you?

He said: “Aayatul Kursi”

(Saheeh Li ghairihi – Saheeh Abi Dawood (1311)

then he said: “Oh Abaa Dharr! the seven heavens in comparison to the Kursi is not except like a ring thrown in vast open land (i.e a desert). And the virtue of the throne over the Kursi is like the superiority of that land over that ring!”

I said:” Oh Messenger of Allah! How many were the prophets?

He said: “One hundred and twenty thousand”

(Da’eef Jiddan (Very weak))

I said: ” Oh Messenger of Allah! How many were the messengers from that?

He said: “three hundred and thirteen, a large amount”

(Saheeh Li Ghairihi)

He said: I said: ” Oh Messenger of Allah! who was the first of them?

He said: “Aadam – Alahis salaam”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! was he a prophet that was sent?

He said: “Yes! Allah created him with his hand, then blew his spirit into him, and spoke to him directly!

Saheeh Li Ghairihi – As Saheehah (2668))

then He said (to me): “Oh Abaa Dharr! four of them were Syriacs, Aadam, Seth (Aadam’s Son), Enoch, and he is Idrees and was the first to scribe with a pen – and Noah. And four were Arabs, Hood, Shu’ayb, Saalih and your prophet Muhammad – Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Salam”

So I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! How many books did Allah send down?

He said: “One hundred and four books: Fifty scrolls were revealed to Seth, thirty scrolls were revealed to Enoch, ten scrolls were revealed to Ibraaheem and ten scrolls were revealed to Moosaa before the revelation of the Tawraah, and the Tawraah, the Injeel, The Zaboor (the Psalms) and the Furqaan (The Qur’aan) were revealed”

I said : “Oh Messenger of Allah! “What were the scrolls of Ibraaheem? He said: “They were all Parables. Oh you insolent, wretched, self-conceited King! Indeed I did not send you to collect the dunya together, rather I sent you to respond to the supplication of the oppressed on my behalf, for indeed I do not reject it, even if it comes from a Kaafir

(Dha’eef Jiddan – Very weak, though the last sentance does have an origin see ‘As Saheehah (870))

It is upon the intelligent person, as long as his mind has not been overcome (ie by mental illness) to have periods. A period wherein he calls upon his lord, a period wherein he takes account of himself, a period wherein he reflects upon the creation of Allah and a period that he spends seeking his needs from food and drink.

It is likewise upon the intelligent person to avoid travel except for three reasons, (to gain) provisions for the hereafter, seeking his livelihood or taking enjoyment in that which is not prohibited.

It is likewise upon the intelligent person to have insight into his era, to proceed towards his affair (ie to head diligently towards the affairs that benefit him) and to guard his tongue. And whosoever evaluates his speech in comparison to his actions, will speak little except in that which concerns him.

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! What were the scrolls of Musaa?

He said: “They were all lessons (and admonitions). I am amazed at the one who is certain of death then he is happy. And I am amazed at the who is certain of the (presence) of the fire then he laughs and I am amazed at the one who is certain of pre-decree (i.e. in relation to that which is alloted to him) then he wears himself out. And I am amazed at the one who sees this world and how affairs change for its people then he is tranquil within it. And I am amazed at the one who has certainty that the reckoning is tomorrow yet he doesnt act”

(Saheeh Li Ghairihi)

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! advise me!

He said: “I advise you with the fear of Allah, for indeed it is the pinnacle of all affairs.

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me! He said: “Cling to reciting the Qur’aan and the rememberance of Allah, for indeed it is light for you in the life of this world and it is preserved for you in the heavens”

(Saheeh – ‘As Saheehah’ – (555))

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Be aware of laughing excessively, for indeed it kills the heart and removes light from the face”

(Saheeh Li Ghairihi except the sentence about light – Saheehah (930))

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Remain silent except with that which is good,for indeed it repels the shaytaan from you and it is an aid for you upon the affairs of your deen”

(Dha’eef Jiddan – Very weak see previous reference)

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Make jihad since it is the monasticism of my Ummah” (meaning that when monasticism revolves around abstention and selflessness there is no greater form of this than that a person participates in battle)

(Saheeh Li Ghairihi ‘As Saheehah – (555))

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase Me!

He said: “Love the poor and sit with them”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Look to those who are lesser than you (i.e. are less well to do) and dont look to those who are above you (ie have more than you) as it is better in preventing one from looking down with disdain at Allahs blessings upon you”

(Saheeh Li Ghairihi – ‘Ar Rawdh’ – (604))

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “Speak the truth even if it is bitter!”

I said: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Increase me!

He said: “let that which you know about yourself divert you from speaking about the people, and do not be angered by that which comes from them. It is sufficient deficiency for you, that you see and observe from them what you do not acknowledge about yourself (meaning that usually those who critisise usually possess the same traits as the ones he speaks about), and that you become angered by that which comes from them (ie towards you)

Then he struck my chest with his hand and said:

“Oh Abaa Dharr! There is no intellect like planning and considering the outcome of affairs, there is no piety like abstaining (i.e. from that which doesnt concern you, from harming people, from haraam etc) and there is no nobility like good character”

(Dha’eef Jiddan – Very weak see ‘Ad Dha’eefah – 1910, 5638 and 6090 though some of its parts are authentic and established in other ahaadeeth..”Wallahu ta’aalaa a’lamWa Sallallahu ‘alaa Nabiyinaa Muhammadhttp://www.twitter.com/abuhakeembilal

As far as At Tayseer is concerned then it is the book of Al Manaawi. He wrote his detailed explanation of Al Jaami’ As Sagheer of Imaamus Suyooti then he was asked to summerise it as it was considered difficult by some, so he summerised it and wrote his book ‘At Tayseer’ (Lit: to make easy or provide ease) though it is a summary it has benefits that are additional to the original book.